Miniature baseball game

ABSTRACT

A mini-baseball game, intended primarily for indoors such as in a den, family room or any household area with reasonably adequate space, comprises a backstop, an inexpensively simple pitching device, a small bat not more than one and one half feet in length. Also, a small ball, the coefficient of restitution and size less than a regular standard baseball and which does not exceed 2 inches in diameter, first, third and home bases, with string for baselines. A set of rules, and requires a minimum of two players.

United States Patent 1 1 Peterson 1 1 Aug. 2e, 1974 MINIATURE BASEBALL GAME FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 8,178 4/1905 Great Britain 273/101 Primary Examiner-Richard G. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello [57] ABSTRACT A mini-baseball game, intended primarily for indoors such as in a den, family room or any household area with reasonably adequate space, comprises a backstop, an inexpensively simple pitching device, a small bat not more than one and one half feet in length. Also, a small ball, the coefficient of restitution and size less than a regular standard baseball and which does not exceed 2 inches in diameter, first, third and home bases, with string for baselines. A set of rules, and requires a minimum of two players.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures [76] Inventor: Richard Peterson, 425 Appollo Dr.,

Joliet, 111. 60435 [22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 325,841

[52] U.S. C1 273/89, 124/20 R, 273/90, 273/102.4 [51] Int. Cl A63b 67/00 [58] Field of Search 273/88, 89, 90, 101, 25, 273/26 A, 26 D; 124/20 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 690,057 12/1901 Hotchkiss 273/88 951,257 3/1910 Peuser 271/89 1,187,095 6/1916 Jerram et a1 273/88 1,346,782 7/1920 Gehring 273/89 3,428,318 2/1969 Vick 124/20 R PATli-NTiumseolen FIG.|

FIGS

MINIATURE BASEBALL GAME BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. FIELD OF INVENTION,

This invention pertains to games and more particularly to a scaled down and simplified baseball game version for indoor and outdoor playing, but dominantly designed for indoors.

2. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART Prior art includes the descriptions contained in the following US. Pat. Nos; 1,846,415 to Degenhardt, 2,082,818 to Atwell, 2,944,816 to Dixon and 3,394,691 to Brink.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION There are a number of miniature versions of sports which include hockey, bowling, football, and others. It is fairly common in existing miniature versions of sports that the fingers are all that are required in manipulation to play said miniature versions. Sports are primarily intended for exercise for those physically participating.

It is then one object of the present invention to offer a scaled down version of a simulated baseball game, while retaining some of the benefits of exercise, coordination and reflexes of the body.

It is also an object of my invention to offer an inexpensive scaled down version of a baseball game for indoors, yet having the flexibility for it to be played outdoors.

Still another object of my present invention is to provide a simulated baseball game which requires a minimum of only two players.

Further objects and advantages will become clear as the embodiments are described with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the layout of the equipment in a playing room and the approximate positions of the players.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the backstop.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the pitching device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, therein illustrated the required equipment, specially designed and also the approximate layout designated by the numeral 15. The indoor mini-baseball includes a backstop 16, which is made of cardboard, plywood or plastic, comprising front side 23, with opening 24, said opening designating strike zone. Side flaps and 25a, hinged to said front at 26, fold outwardly. Said flaps 25 having rectilinear opening 27 disposed adjacent to said flap edge 25b, said opening accepting, but not vertically aligned with hooked projection 27a. Said projection 27a enters said opening 27, by means of holding flap 25 downfirmly, lifting flap 25a until projection 27a is aligned with opening 27, inserting projection till edge 250 of flap 25a abuts flap 25; release both flaps and thickness of flap 25, through opening 27, will lodge in space 27b between projection 27a and edge 25c of flap 25a, thereby restraining flap 25, thus forming a triangular shaped, free standing structure or backstop.

The pitching device 17 made of wood, plastic or other suitable material consists of base 19, with two removable upright posts 20. Attached to said posts is a narrow rubber strip 21, having an enlarged width 22 located approximately midway.

It is mentioned in the abstract that the ball 29 recommended must have a coefficient of restitution less than that for a standard baseball. This is to compensate for the limited area, and a much smaller than standard baseball field. The small bat 28 can either be made of wood or plastic.

RULES IN PLAYING THE GAME Referring now particularly to the layout shown in FIG. 1, the backstop 16 is positioned either against one end wall 36 or at a certain distance from it, with the side 25 facing the opposite wall 33. The pitching device 17 is positioned within an approximate straight line with the strike zone area of the side 25 and at a certain reasonable distance from said backstop 16. One player, the batter, either sitting or kneeling, positions himself at 32, which is either to the left or right of a simulated home base 18. The other player, the pitcher, also in sitting or kneeling position, positions himself at 31, behind the pitching device 17. A simulated first base 30 and a third base 30a are positioned along an approximate straight line designated by string lengths 40, emanating from the home base 18, to the corners of the room respectively, such that said bases 30 and 30a are barely within reach of the pitcher situated at 31 with outstretched arms and leaning in the direction of either bases 30 or 3011. The pitcher pitches the ball in a slingshot manner, and batter attempts to hit said ball with bat 28, swinging said bat with one hand only, either right or left. Balls and strikes, number of outs and number of innings are the same to that of standard baseball. The deviations are the following:

A. OUTS:

Any batted ball which hits the ceiling, is caught on the fly,-or is caught on the ground, while still rolling, foul ball on third strike and entering strike zone on fly.

B. SINGLE:

Any batted ball which hits the pitcher and is not caught, is hit inside first and third base, and does not touch outfield wall, 34 or 35, or a grounder which stops before pitcher can field it.

C. DOUBLE:

Any batted ball which is hit on floor inside first and third base lines, is not touched by pitcher and hits the outfield wall 33.

D. TRIPLE:

Any batted ball, fly or grounder, which is touched by pitcher but still hits outfield wall 33.

E. I-IOME RUN:

Any batted ball inside first and third base, which hits the outfield wall 33 on the fly without being touched.

F. FOUL:

Any batted ball that hits the walls 34 or 35 before the bases 30 and 30a. G. DOUBLE PLAY:

A batted ball caught without fumbling, with one or more runners on base, lead runner out in all cases. l-I. BASE STEALING:

With one or more runners on base, batter can specify before pitch is delivered if runners are stealing, if pitch enters the strike zone on fly, runner or runners are out.

Three singles constitute a run.

A double or a triple and a single constitute a run. L. HOME RUN DERBY:

Only home runs are counted, all other hits are outs, four balls (walk) gives batter another turn at batv I claim:

1. A baseball game adapted to be played by at least two individuals on a miniature scale and including a court type layout, the game comprising:

a home base member adapted to be rested on a suitable supporting playing surface and defining the position adjacent which an individual is intended to stand when batting a ball;

a first base member adapted to be rested on the playing surface a distance from said home base at an angle diverging outwardly from said home base;

a third base member adapted to be rested on said playing surface in a position spaced from said first base and at an angle diverging outwardly from said home base member, said angle of divergence being substantially identical to said angle of divergence for said first base member relative to said home base member;

a first flexible string member interconnecting said home base to said first base member;

a second flexible string member interconnecting said third base member to said home base member;

said first and said second string members defining with said home base, said first base and said third base a general V-shaped configuration with the apex of said V-shape disposed at said home base member, said first string member forming a leg member of said V-shape with said second string member forming the opposite leg member of said V-shape;

a miniature baseball having a coefficient of restitution less than the coefficient of restitution for a conventional standard hard ball type baseball; miniature elongated bat adapted to be held in at least one hand of an individual and intended for use when the individual takes a sitting or kneeling batting position adjacent either side of said home base member;

a portable pitching device adapted to be placed on the playing surface intermediate said first base member and said third base member and in general alignment with said home base member and spaced outwardly therefrom, said pitching member comprising an elongated substantially flat rectangularly shaped base member having a bottom surface adapted to rest on said playing surface and having a top surface, said top surface provided with a pair of transversely aligned and spaced apart apertures disposed in the front portion thereof;

a pair of elongated post members each having a top end and a bottom end, each post member being substantially identical to each other, each post member adapted to have its bottom end inserted into one of said top surface apertures with said post member projecting vertically upright therefrom;

an elongated resilient elastic strip of material having one end affixed to the top end of one of said post members and having its opposite end affixed to the top end of said other post member, said elastic strip being of sufficient length to extend a slight distance rearwardly of said post members along said base member to define a general V- shaped configuration;

a pouch-like pocket formed integrally in said elastic strip intermediate said end portions and disposed at said apex portion thereof, said pocket being of a size and configuration adapted to receive said miniature baseball therein;

said post members being spaced transversely apart a distance substantially greater than the diameter of said miniature baseball to permit said miniature baseball to be received in said pocket with said elastic member then being stretched rearwardly relative to said post members and then released in a manner to propel said baseball between said post members in the desired direction and at the desired velocity towards said home base member;

a triangularly shaped backstop member comprising a substantially flat rectangularly shaped front member having a front surface and a back surface, a rectangularly shaped opening provided centrally of said front member and defining a strike zone therein, said front member adapted to be positioned directly behind said home base member and spaced slightly rearwardly therefrom with said opening therein defining a strike zone for use with said pitching device and said miniature ball;

a first flap member having a side edge pivotally attached to a side edge of said front member for swinging movement of said flap member thereabout between a collapsed position lying substantially in juxtaposition with said front member and an open operable position extending rearwardly of said front member at an angle thereto, a vertical slot defined in said first flap member adjacent the side edge thereof opposite said pivotally connected side edge;

a second side flap having a first side edge pivotally connected to the opposite side edge of said front member from said first flap member, said second flap member swingable relative to said front member between a folded storage position lying substantially in juxtaposition therewith and an open operative, position extending outwardly from the back surface thereof at an angle relative thereto, the side edge of said second flap member spaced opposite the pivotally connected side edge having a flange member defined co-planar therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom and terminating in a furthest projecting edge, said furthest projecting edge having formed integrally therewith a vertically downward extending hook member spaced outwardly from said adjacent side edge of said second flap member to define a vertically elongated slot therebetween;

said flange projection and said hook member adapted to pass through said first flap member slot with said hook member and flange member then being moved vertically downwardly relative to said slot after being first inserted therethrough in a manner to detachably engage a portion of said first flap member in said slot of said second flange member defined intermediate said hook member and said side edge thereof so as to form said triangular backstop;

whereby a first individual may operate said pitching device by kneeling or sitting therebehind with a second individual taking a sitting or kneeling batting stance adjacent said home base member, both said first and said second individuals taking their respective positions on said playing surface, said the play of the game. 

1. A baseball game adapted to be played by at least two individuals on a miniature scale and including a court type layout, the game comprising: a home base member adapted to be rested on a suitable supporting playing surface and defining the position adjacent which an individual is intended to stand when batting a ball; a first base member adapted to be rested on the playing surface a distance from said home base at an angle diverging outwardly from said home base; a third base member adapted to be rested on said playing surface in a position spaced from said first base and at an angle diverging outwardly from said home base member, said angle of dIvergence being substantially identical to said angle of divergence for said first base member relative to said home base member; a first flexible string member interconnecting said home base to said first base member; a second flexible string member interconnecting said third base member to said home base member; said first and said second string members defining with said home base, said first base and said third base a general Vshaped configuration with the apex of said V-shape disposed at said home base member, said first string member forming a leg member of said V-shape with said second string member forming the opposite leg member of said V-shape; a miniature baseball having a coefficient of restitution less than the coefficient of restitution for a conventional standard hard ball type baseball; a miniature elongated bat adapted to be held in at least one hand of an individual and intended for use when the individual takes a sitting or kneeling batting position adjacent either side of said home base member; a portable pitching device adapted to be placed on the playing surface intermediate said first base member and said third base member and in general alignment with said home base member and spaced outwardly therefrom, said pitching member comprising an elongated substantially flat rectangularly shaped base member having a bottom surface adapted to rest on said playing surface and having a top surface, said top surface provided with a pair of transversely aligned and spaced apart apertures disposed in the front portion thereof; a pair of elongated post members each having a top end and a bottom end, each post member being substantially identical to each other, each post member adapted to have its bottom end inserted into one of said top surface apertures with said post member projecting vertically upright therefrom; an elongated resilient elastic strip of material having one end affixed to the top end of one of said post members and having its opposite end affixed to the top end of said other post member, said elastic strip being of sufficient length to extend a slight distance rearwardly of said post members along said base member to define a general V-shaped configuration; a pouch-like pocket formed integrally in said elastic strip intermediate said end portions and disposed at said apex portion thereof, said pocket being of a size and configuration adapted to receive said miniature baseball therein; said post members being spaced transversely apart a distance substantially greater than the diameter of said miniature baseball to permit said miniature baseball to be received in said pocket with said elastic member then being stretched rearwardly relative to said post members and then released in a manner to propel said baseball between said post members in the desired direction and at the desired velocity towards said home base member; a triangularly shaped backstop member comprising a substantially flat rectangularly shaped front member having a front surface and a back surface, a rectangularly shaped opening provided centrally of said front member and defining a strike zone therein, said front member adapted to be positioned directly behind said home base member and spaced slightly rearwardly therefrom with said opening therein defining a strike zone for use with said pitching device and said miniature ball; a first flap member having a side edge pivotally attached to a side edge of said front member for swinging movement of said flap member thereabout between a collapsed position lying substantially in juxtaposition with said front member and an open operable position extending rearwardly of said front member at an angle thereto, a vertical slot defined in said first flap member adjacent the side edge thereof opposite said pivotally connected side edge; a second side flap having a first side edge pivotally connected to the opposite side edge of said front member from said first Flap member, said second flap member swingable relative to said front member between a folded storage position lying substantially in juxtaposition therewith and an open operative position extending outwardly from the back surface thereof at an angle relative thereto, the side edge of said second flap member spaced opposite the pivotally connected side edge having a flange member defined co-planar therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom and terminating in a furthest projecting edge, said furthest projecting edge having formed integrally therewith a vertically downward extending hook member spaced outwardly from said adjacent side edge of said second flap member to define a vertically elongated slot therebetween; said flange projection and said hook member adapted to pass through said first flap member slot with said hook member and flange member then being moved vertically downwardly relative to said slot after being first inserted therethrough in a manner to detachably engage a portion of said first flap member in said slot of said second flange member defined intermediate said hook member and said side edge thereof so as to form said triangular backstop; whereby a first individual may operate said pitching device by kneeling or sitting therebehind with a second individual taking a sitting or kneeling batting stance adjacent said home base member, both said first and said second individuals taking their respective positions on said playing surface, said first individual then operating said pitching device in a manner to pitch said miniature baseball in the direction of said backstop in an attempt to strike out said second individual at the batting position, said second individual attempting to bat said baseball in accord with rules and regulations set up for the play of the game. 